The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi stresses the importance of abandoning contentious political issues in exceptional circumstances, stressing that the Syrian people will find the UAE alongside them in the most difficult conditions to combat the virus.
On the path of humanitarian aid in pandemics and disasters, the United Arab Emirates is not lagging behind in lending a helping hand to the peoples and sister countries in the most difficult situations, as Friday announced its support for the Syrian people in these exceptional circumstances to confront the deadly Coronavirus, especially since Syria has been witnessing an ongoing war since 2011 caused In destroying infrastructure and sanitation.
UAE gesture to Syria
The human dimension in the face of Corona
In this context, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on Friday, in the context of his steps to follow up the humanitarian conditions of the peoples and sister countries, contacted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to discuss the repercussions of the spread of Covid-19 in Syria, according to the Emirates News Agency.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said in a tweet on Twitter, “I discussed by phone with the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad the repercussions of the spread of the Coronavirus, and assured him of the UAE’s support and help to the brotherly Syrian people in these exceptional circumstances.” Sister Arab will not remain alone in these critical circumstances. ”
He stressed the need to abandon the politically contentious issues in these exceptional circumstances, saying, “We have to overcome the human side in light of the common challenge that we all face,” stressing that “Syria, the brotherly Arab country, will not be alone in these delicate and critical circumstances.”
For his part, Al-Assad welcomed the initiative of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, appreciating the UAE’s humanitarian position in light of what the region and the world are witnessing from this emerging challenge, stressing his welcome to this cooperation during this circumstance and praising this initiative with all its lofty meanings. The phone call between the Syrian President and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi is the first of its kind since the conflict in Syria started in 2011.
The UAE reopened its embassy in Damascus in 2018, after seven years of severing diplomatic ties between the two countries.
I discussed with Syrian President Bashar Alassad updates on COVID-19. I assured him of the support of the UAE and its willingness to help the Syrian people. Humanitarian solidarity during trying times supersedes all matters, and Syria and her people will not stand alone.
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) March 27, 2020
Syria situation with coronavirus
Since Sunday, five cases of Coronavirus have been announced in Syria. While humanitarian organizations have warned of a disaster in the event of a pandemic in Syria. Which is experiencing a devastating conflict.
The organizations have also expressed deep concern about the possible outbreak of the Coronavirus in northwestern Syria. Where hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the war live in overcrowded camps that lack severe health care.
On Friday, Damascus took strict measures to prevent the virus from spreading on its soil. By preventing travel between Syrian cities and governorates, according to local media sources.
“Syria has prevented travel between cities and governorates within the framework of tightening measures to curb the outbreak of the new Coronavirus,” the Syrian News Channel quoted the Syrian Interior Minister as saying.
The travel ban that comes into effect from next Sunday comes after a curfew was imposed this week from six in the evening to six in the morning and after the country stopped its flights and ordered the closure of most companies.
It is worth noting that the UAE has taken significant steps to combat the virus on its soil. It has allocated significant sums to help citizens and companies overcome the Corona crisis. In addition, It has confused the world’s most powerful economies.
Not only did the Emirates support and protect its citizens and residents on its lands. But rather it offered a helping hand to countries. That had difficulties in combating the spread of Covid-19. Which has so far caused 27,000 deaths worldwide and injured more than 590,000 others.
UAE humanitarian assistance
The assistance of the UAE authorities extended to several countries, including Iran, Serbia, Croatia, Afghanistan, China, and others, as part of global efforts to limit the spread of the virus.
On March 16, the UAE sent two aid planes carrying medical supplies and relief equipment to Iran. In order to support them in the face of the emerging virus that has spread widely in the country.
The two planes that took off from the capital Abu Dhabi carried more than 32 tons of supplies. Which include boxes of gloves, surgical masks, and protective equipment.
The flight was the second that the UAE has sent to Iran in recent days. As it preceded by another plane that sent on the third of March. Carried 7.5 tons of medical supplies in cooperation with the World Health Organization. It also brought with her five WHO experts to help 15,000 health care workers.
Emirates receives thanks from everyone
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Gebresos, thanked the UAE for its continued support for global efforts to tackle the Coronavirus.
For his part, Serbian President Alexander Vucic thanked the UAE for its side with the Serbian people in its ordeal. While criticizing the European Union, which abandoned Serbia in these exceptional circumstances.
Activists on social media posted a video of the Serbian President, thanking Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. For his support and assistance to his country. Which the Emirates sent him medical aid to face Corona, describing him as a “great friend.”
